Apple Hires Ex-CEO of Yves Saint Lauren

Apple sa id late Tuesday that it hired Paul Deneve, former chief executive of French fashion retailer Yves Saint Laurent, to be a vice president.

The Cupertino, Calif. company said in a statement that Mr. Deneve would be joining the company as a vice president of “special projects” reporting directly to Tim Cook, Apple’s chief executive.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Paul Deneve to Apple,” a company spokeswoman said. She didn’t describe what Mr. Deneve’s job will entail.

Kering SA , the French retailer that owns the Yves Saint Laurent brand, signaled the change earlier Monday when it said Mr. Deneve was standing down as chief executive of the brand after two years on the job. Mr. Deneve was leaving Yves Saint Laurent to “take up a new career opportunity in the high-tech industry,” according to Kering.

Apple has previously drawn from other luxury retailers to fill the ranks of its retail operation.

The company is still searching for a replacement to head its retail operations following the ousting of John Browett in October of last year.